Preliminary Phytochemical and Pharmacognostic Studies on a Well-known Medicinal Plant Glycyrrhiza glabra

Abstract

Glycyrrhiza glabra is a perennial herb in the subtropical and warm temperate regions. The principal constituent of licorice is glycyrrhizin. Licorice is used for the treatment of asthma, acute and chronic bronchitis and chronic cough. It modulates the immune system and has remarkable immuno-stimulant properties. The phyto-constituents like glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhizinic acid, triterpenoid glycosides (saponins), flavonoids (including liquiritigetol) are potent components for health benefits. It is a mild anti-inflammatory for arthritis and rheumatism and is used to treat gastric, duodenal and esophageal ulceration of inflammation, heartburn and mouth ulcers. Since it has got so many pharmacological activities it is important to standardize this drug, hence the present study.